Police: Mother, Son Murdered Inside Atlantic County Home

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HAMMONTON, NJ (CBS) – A killer is still on the loose in Atlantic County, NJ and we now know who made the call for help.

Police found 64-year-old Diana Patterson and her 29-year-old son, Ryan, with multiple stab wounds. They were pronounced dead inside their Hammonton home on Madison Avenue Thursday morning.

Sources tell Eyewitness News, before he died, Ryan called 911 to report the crime. When police arrived, whoever is responsible was long gone.

Ryan’s friend, Jennifer Hatch said, “We just wanted a place to get together and talk about him and process this whole thing.”

So Thursday evening, Hatch organized a candle light vigil. They chose to gather at Atco Raceway to walk the very track where Ryan lived out his dream as an avid motocross enthusiast where he made lifelong friends.

Mike Jakoweiczuk is a family friend who used to race with Ryan. He explained to Eyewitness News, “When you get into this sport, it doesn’t leave. It becomes a part of you. We become one big family.”

Hundreds gathered to honor and remember Ryan and his mother.

Jakoweiczuk said, “I’m hoping he’s smiling over top of us all right now. It’s a big loss. It’s something you never want to hear about”

Jakoweiczuk’s wife, Michelle, added, “She was a wonderful, helpful, amazing woman. I cried. I cried. My heart hurt so bad. I just cried.”

The exact details surrounding the stabbing deaths were not immediately known. Police went door-to-door asking neighbors if they heard anything unusual.

The Major Crimes Unit of the Atlantic County prosecutor’s office and the Hammonton Police Department are investigating. As of Thursday night, authorities had not named any suspects or figured out a motive.

Michelle Jakoweiczuk said, “I can’t imagine anybody wanting to hurt those two lovely people, I really can’t. Those blue eyes, let me tell you, they will shine stars all over the heaven. I promise you, all she ever wanted to do was help.”

Anyone with information on this homicide is urged to call the Atlantic County prosecutor’s office at 609-909-7800.